North Texas is stronger together, as the community rallied to support and give back to our local nonprofits and charities helping those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. North Texas Giving Tuesday Now, which took place May 5, 2020, was sponsored by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, alongside the Communities Foundation of Texas, United Way Metropolitan Dallas and the Dallas Cowboys. The event raised more than $448,000 for 115 Arlington-based organizations (2,219 gifts). The combined total raised for the entire North Texas region was $20.7 million for 2,572 organizations from 89,000 donations. "We’re so overwhelmed by the kind and generous spirit of this community,” said Carolyn Mentesana, executive director for the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation. “Time and again, we’ve seen our residents support our local nonprofits for our Arlington Gives! annual event, and to step up again during a time of need is truly inspiring and impactful to these groups helping people on the front lines.” To more fully engage local donors and actively promote the goal of raising critical support for Arlington’s charitable sector, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and Friends of the Levitt Pavilion also programmed a full day of live streamed concerts by Brad Russell, September Moon, Steve Helms Band, Latin Express and Sara Hickman. More than 18,000 users tuned in to watch Tuesday. Since 2014, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has sponsored Arlington Gives! to recognize and highlight Arlington-based nonprofit organizations and help North Texas Giving Day contributors' dollars go even further. In all, 7,299 donations totaling $1,796,731 were donated to Arlington nonprofits in 2019.

Tarrant County generously provided the 250,000 disposable masks, which were given on a first-come, first-serve basis Wednesday near Globe Life Field.

It was a thank you fit for America’s heroes — from American heroes. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flew over Arlington Wednesday to thank the healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

As the City of Arlington receives and deploys CARES Act funds, the CARES Act in Action series will take a closer look into how Arlington is using its portion to serve, support and protect Arlington residents and businesses.

Even while its locations are temporarily closed, the Arlington Public Library has been supporting its adult learners. Arlington Reads has moved from in-person classes to online learning.

Visits to physicians and hospital emergency departments are down in the city, which could mean that residents are allowing their illnesses and diseases to worsen without treatment.

The Arlington Public Library is happy to announce Teddy Bear Weekend (formerly known as Teddy Bear Carnival) will now take place on May 8 and May 9! Stuffed animals and their favorite children, it’s time to get ready for a weekend of early literacy fun from home.

The Arlington Public Library is offering a virtual prom experience -- #LibraryGoesToProm2020 -- to help us get through this time together.

Although roadway paving is complete, lane closures will be necessary to complete the landscaping and irrigation work along the project limits and to complete the City Hall South Plaza, which will continue through July 2020.

Each spring, Arlington Water Utilities compiles data from the previous calendar year to give residents a full picture of their water quality, where it comes from and how it gets to their tap. The newest edition of the Arlington Water Utilities Water Quality Report is now online at www.arlingtontx.gov/waterccr. The 2019 report, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report, is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This year’s version includes details about the water department, including: • Arlington water met, and in many cases was much better than, federal and state standards for safety in 2019. • Arlington Water Utilities treated more than 18.6 billion gallons of water in 2019 at the John F. Kubala and Pierce-Burch Water Treatment Plants. • To maintain the highest safety standards, Water Utilities lab staff collected 7,010 samples and performed 16,177 tests in 2019. • Arlington has made significant improvements in the past few years limiting how much water is lost to main breaks and unauthorized consumption. The department’s water loss percentage dropped from 12.75 percent in 2014, to 10.19 percent in 2019. The decrease has resulted in significant cost savings in raw water, chemical, and electrical costs. • This year's report has a new, updated treatment process graphic, showing where Arlington’s water comes from and how it is made safe for residents. The Arlington Water Utilities laboratory staff are available to answer residents water quality questions throughout the year. Answers to some of the most common inquiries also are included the 2019 Water Quality Report. Reports from the previous five years are available online at the Knowledge Center section of the water department website (ArlingtonTX.gov/water). For printed copies of the report, contact the laboratory at 817-575-8984. A Spanish version of the 2019 report will be available soon at www.arlingtontx.gov/waterccre. During the week of May 3-9, utilities throughout the United States are celebrating Drinking Water Week. The American Water Works Association and its members have recognized the event for more than 40 years as an opportunity to communicate the vital role water plays in our daily lives. This year’s theme is “There when you need it.” For more information, visit www.drinktap.org.

Staying home 24/7 may have you running out of ways to keep the kids busy while having fun. Taking on a crafty clay project is a wonderful way to spend some family time away from screens, and since clay is such a versatile material, the possibilities for creative crafting are endless. Instead of heading out to get store-bought clay, you can #StayHome and make your own with only three ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Those who are interested in participating in the virtual town hall meeting are asked to call 888-409-5380 at 6 p.m. to listen in for important information or to ask a question.

The $26 million facility, approved by voters in the 2014 bond election, will open this fall at Bob Cooke Park.

TxDOT crews have closed the left, inside lane of northbound SH 360 between Brown Boulevard and Post and Paddock Street. Crews will use the time to update signage. The closure runs through May 22, 2020.

The City is putting technology to work to ensure residents will be able to participate in Tuesday’s Arlington City Council meeting, which will be held virtually to protect the public during the coronavirus outbreak.

Storytime is one of our favorite things here at the Arlington Public Library. Beginning Monday, May 4, live storytimes will be available on the Library’s Facebook page every weekday in May!

Arlington ISD’s classes of 2020 will graduate in person at College Park Center on the campus of The University of Texas at Arlington.

On Monday, May 4, 2020 at 9:18 a.m., the Arlington Police Department responded to a shooting call in the 300 block of Bardin Greene Drive. Officers arrived on scene and found a man with an apparent gunshot wound lying in the parking lot of the apartment complex. There are several witnesses to be interviewed to determine what happened. Investigators believe the suspect or suspects fled the scene prior to officers arriving. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify those involved.

The River Legacy Foundation is encouraging creativity with its 2020 children's art contest. As more families stay close to home, the Foundation is reminding everyone you don't have to go far to find the beauty in nature. This year's theme is "Get creative with what's native."

On Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 8:02 p.m., the Arlington Police Department responded to a shooting in progress call in the 600 block of McQueary Street. Officers arrived on scene and found a male victim in his 40s with a gunshot wound to his abdomen area. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. Investigators believe that there was an argument and physical altercation that occurred between the victim and an unknown suspect near the street area. Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify those involved.

Meet Alfonzo and Hudson, the City of Arlington Animal Services Pets of the Week.

We thank you for your remarkable patience and understanding. We are extremely grateful for your willingness to help the animals, staff and your community during this difficult time for everyone.

The City of Arlington was recently awarded a $1.7 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration’s Integrated Mobility Innovation Program to integrate autonomous vehicles into its on-demand rideshare service.

The Arlington Public Library is continuing to transition service models in the coming weeks. The Library remains an important resource for Arlington’s educational and entertainment needs and is committed to providing a range of safe services to the community.

The City of Arlington Municipal Court remains open to the public and is following the normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Municipal Court continues to enforce strict social distancing and sanitation protocols in all public areas.

In the latest Ask Arlington, City leaders and health experts answer your questions about what to expect as we safely reopen while working to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The deadline to file a protest for all properties will be extended to June 1, 2020, or 30 days from the mail date listed on the notice, whichever is later.

More than 200 Arlington families picked up boxes filled with fresh fruit, vegetables and other food on Thursday as part of a distribution partnership with Child Care Associates and the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Child Care Associates provides services at two Head Start and Early Head Start locations in The American Dream City. It also manages Child Care Management Services, or CCMS, a Workforce Development Board program that provides subsidized childcare to families in Tarrant County. This week's distribution at Child Care Associates’ 525 Browning Drive office was for families served by the agency and others in the community with financial needs. For more information about upcoming food distributions, please visit the Child Care Associates Facebook page at www.facebook.com/childcareassociates. Share kindness when you see it. Post on social media with the hashtags #ArlingtonKindness or #ArlingtonStrong. You can also email [email protected].